Orthodox icons: the icon of the Savior of the Almighty

Just as the iconography of Jesus Christ occupies the central part of all the ancient Orthodox iconography, so the Savior Almighty (icons of the photo is presented below) is the image that occupies the main place among all the numerous types of the image of the Lord. The dogmatic meaning of this icon is very great: Christ is the King of Heaven and Judge, "Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Lord who is, and was and is coming, the Almighty." Almost in every Orthodox church in the central part of the dome is this image, which can be found complete with traditional Russian Orthodox iconostasis or in the form of a single icon.

Description of the icon of Christ the Almighty

The Savior Christ on the icon can be depicted in different positions: sitting, up to the waist, in growth or bosom, in the left hand with a scroll or the Gospel, and the right hand is in a blessing gesture.

The epithet "Almighty" expresses the dogma of the Incarnation, which symbolizes the Divine and human nature of the Savior. It is also called in Greek "Pantokrator", where the first part of the word means "all", and the second - "power", that is, the Almighty and the Almighty. According to the literary translation - "He is able to create everything", He is the "Ruler of the World" and "Lord of all".

The term "Almighty" is found repeatedly in the Old Testament, the ancient Jews called their "living" God worshiped like that, then they turned to Jesus Christ.

Ancient Icon

The appearance of the image of Christ the Pantocrator in Byzantium dates back to the 4th-6th centuries. The most ancient of the icon-painting images is the icon, which is called Christ Pantokrator from the Sinai Monastery (VI century).

The icon of the Savior of the Almighty "Savior on the Throne" - one of the most ancient schemes, where Christ is depicted frontally, sitting on the throne with a pillow, in traditional clothes and with a foot in his legs.

The early and the first images of the Savior on the throne can be seen in the Roman catacombs (III-IV centuries). But the iconography will finally take shape in the post-iconographic period (10th century).

The throne has the meaning of an attribute of royal dignity. To the Old Testament prophets God was seated on the throne. This is how the Lord will appear on earth, on the Day of Universal Resurrection, to perform His Last Judgment on all people alive and dead.

Icon of the Savior of the Almighty "Manuelas Spas" according to tradition belongs to the brush of Emperor Byzantium Manuel I, and it is distinguished by a special gesture of the right hand, indicating the text of the Gospel.

There are several interpretations of the image of Christ: "Savior in the Force", in the traditional Russian iconostasis, and also the icon of Christ sitting on the throne surrounded by the Heavenly Host, the Psychosaster (Soul Dryer), Eleemon (the Pardoning).

Iconoclasm

The icon of the Savior of the Almighty shows the age of Christ, which corresponds to the time when He began to preach. He is depicted with straight hair down to his shoulders, a small beard and mustache on a light face.

According to the canon, the Savior wore a red tunic, and on top of it a blue gimaty. Blue - as a symbol of the heavenly beginning, red - martyrdom and the color of blood. The robes of Christ are interpreted as the solitude of the heavenly, earthly and spiritual. In the history of Christianity, icons became a stumbling block between supporters of icon-worship, which pointed to the human and divine nature of Jesus, and heretics who denied it all.

From the IV to the VI century there was the iconoclastic struggle, when thousands of icons of mosaics and frescoes of millet were destroyed, because they became a stronghold for many people, and the supporters of the same iconography were punished with brutality. Only by 842 at the Constantinople Council adherents of orthodox views still achieved victory, and the iconoclasts were anathema. Icon of the Savior of the Almighty Pantokrator eventually became a symbol of victory over heresy.

Savior Almighty: icon, meaning

Before the image of this icon, people pray, who want to thank the Great Lord for their help and support, or to receive a blessing on the planned things. Praying with the icon of the Savior, the Almighty will help you to get consolation and strength. She is also prayed to receive healing from physical and spiritual injuries and getting rid of sinful thoughts. You can raise your prayers not only for yourself, but also for your close and dear friends.

The icon should be addressed not only in moments of hardship and despair, but also in order to share their joys. The prayer should sound sincere, with pure thoughts and an open heart.

Help

The icon "Lord Almighty" can be presented as a gift for a wedding couple for a newly-married couple or give it to an expensive person. Since this icon has a very strong energy, it can guide the true path of soul salvation, if, of course, a person repents and gives a miraculous healing to a person who is sincere to the believer. Before asking God for mercy, one should read the prayer "Our Father".

On the question of the Icon of the Savior, the Almighty helps in what can be answered by the fact that Jesus Christ is the chief physician of our souls and bodies, who knows about everything and our prayer should be sent to Him in the first place. Icon of the Savior according to church rules is placed at the head of the whole iconostasis.

A lot of different miracles and healings are described near this icon. However, there are those who regard the icons as superstitions and deceptions, but experience shows the opposite, a truly believing person will not begin his day without prayer, as they say to God even over the blue sea, but without God, not to the threshold.

Attitude to the icons

And anyway, any Orthodox icon - this is not a picture where you can admire the plot composition or the play of colors and admire the talents of the artist who created it.

The icon, first of all, is strictness and tenderness. In contrast to any picture, it makes us think about eternal values and the state of the soul, bringing us closer to God.

When we look at the icon and pray, it fills us with that all-embracing grace that invisibly envelops us, calls for salvation, awakens our conscience in us, and thereby uplifts prayer.

Veneration of Shrines

And if Orthodox Christians are accused of worshiping icons as idols, then this is a false statement. They do not worship them, but revere them as a shrine. Believers perfectly understand what icons are, and through them they bring honor and praise to the prototype of Lord Almighty.

The entire earthly people unite the desire to live without problems, to have health and well-being. And this is all based on faith, hope and love, which are inalienable Christian virtues.

Life will necessarily change for the better, if we begin to intensively pray and thank the Lord for everything - for all the good, and for the bad things that happen in our lives. God to help everyone!